Tonneau cover systems and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

Novel techniques are provided for implementing a tonneau cover system. A tonneau cover system might include a first side rail configured to be coupled to a side wall of a bed of a truck, a first connection plate attached to and extending from the first side rail, a second connection plate, an extension plate extending from and attached to the second connection plate, and a cover for covering the bed of the truck and coupled to the extension plate. The first connection plate might include a recess on a bottom surface of the first connection plate. The second connection plate might include a first protrusion mirroring the first recess on the first connection plate. The first protrusion of the second connection plate might removably engage with the recess on the bottom surface of the first connection plate to couple the second connection plate to the first connection plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation to U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/176,363, filed on Feb. 16, 2021, which claims the benefit of ChinesePatent Application No. CN202021779113.3, filed on Aug. 24, 2020, ChinesePatent Application No. CN202021779083.6, filed on Aug. 24, 2020, ChinesePatent Application No. CN202021779082.1, filed on Aug. 24, 2020, andChinese Patent Application No. CN202010856513.8, filed on Aug. 24, 2020,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to methods, systems, andapparatus for implementing a tonneau cover system.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, truck cover systems are often used to protect cargo bedsof pickup trucks. Cover systems often cover all or a portion of thecargo bed of the truck such that any items stored and/or hauled in thecargo bed are protected from outside elements and theft. In order toaccommodate the storage and/or hauling of larger objects, as well as tofacilitate easy loading and unloading of the cargo bed, manyconventional cover systems are foldable into a storage position. Thisenables the cargo bed to be exposed without removing the cover entirelyfrom the truck. However, when coupling multiple cover panels and/orhinges, seams are often formed such that water and other liquids mayeasily pass through and reach any cargo within the truck bed.

Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions forimplementing methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing a tonneaucover system.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for implementing atonneau cover system. For example, a tonneau cover system may beimplemented. The tonneau cover system might include a first side railconfigured to be coupled to a side wall of a bed of a truck, a firstconnection plate attached to and extending from the first side rail, asecond connection plate, an extension plate extending from and attachedto the second connection plate, and a cover for covering the bed of thetruck and coupled to the extension plate. The first connection platemight include a first recess on a bottom surface of the first connectionplate. The second connection plate might include a first protrusionmirroring the first recess on the first connection plate. The firstprotrusion of the second connection plate might removably engage withthe first recess on the bottom surface of the first connection plate tocouple the second connection plate to the first connection plate. Whenthe cover is closed, the extension plate may bear a weight of the coverand distribute a force of the cover through the second connection plate,pulling the first connection plate downward, and securing the first siderail against the side wall of the bed of the truck.

Several advantages may be realized from this design of the tonneau coversystem. For example, embodiments provide a tonneau cover system that canimprove the releasable engagement between the first connection plate andthe second connection plate which allows the tonneau cover system to fitwithin truck beds of different sizes and/or shapes. In addition,embodiments provide a tonneau cover system having multiple foldablepanels which allows the tonneau cover to be partially open for easyaccess to the inside of the truck bed. By having one or more hingedconnections between the foldable panels, a seamless connection betweenthe panels can be formed to prevent precipitation and dirt from enteringthe truck bed. Further, a drainage structure along with a drainagechannel formed by different surfaces of the first and/or second siderails facilitate the flow of liquid and, thus, prevent water and/orother liquid from entering the truck bed and damaging cargo containedwithin the truck bed. These and other advantages and features aredescribed in more detail in conjunction with the text below and attachedfigures.

In an aspect, a tonneau cover system might include a first side railconfigured to be coupled to a side wall of a bed of a truck, a firstconnection plate attached to and extending from the first side rail, asecond connection plate, an extension plate extending from and attachedto the second connection plate, and a cover for covering the bed of thetruck and coupled to the extension plate. The first connection platemight include a first recess on a bottom surface of the first connectionplate. The second connection plate might include a first protrusionmirroring the first recess on the first connection plate. The firstprotrusion of the second connection plate might removably engage withthe first recess on the bottom surface of the first connection plate tocouple the second connection plate to the first connection plate. Whenthe cover is closed, the extension plate may bear a weight of the coverand distribute a force of the cover through the second connection plate,pulling the first connection plate downward, and securing the first siderail against the side wall of the bed of the truck.

In some embodiments, the extension plate may extend partway along thefirst side rail and is located toward a front of the truck.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion slidingly engages with thefirst recess. In some cases, the first recess and the first protrusionmay be T-shaped.

In some cases, the cover may further include a connector coupling thecover to the first connection plate and the second connection plate. Theconnector may be made out of rubber.

In various instances, the connector may further include a gap locatedabove the first connection plate and below the cover. The gap may causethe extension plate and the second connection plate to bear the weightof the cover.

In various embodiments, the second connection plate may further includea second connection plate interior surface in parallel with a side wallof the bed of the truck. The second connection plate interior surfacecomprises one or more third grooves.

In some instances, the tonneau cover system may further include a clampclamping the second connection plate interior surface and a side wallinterior surface of the bed of the truck. At least one end of the clampmay comprise one or more first grooves. The one or more first groovesmay align with the one or more third grooves to hold the secondconnection plate and first side rail against the side wall of the bed ofthe truck.

In some embodiments, the tonneau cover system may further include adrainage structure. The drainage structure might include a second siderail, and a third connection plate attached to the second side rail. Thethird connection plate may comprise a drainage pipe extending throughthe third connection plate. A top of the drainage pipe may be level witha top surface of the third connection plate.

In some cases, the third connection plate may releasably engage with thesecond connection plate. According to some embodiments, the thirdconnection plate might slidingly engage with the second connectionplate.

In some embodiments, liquid may flow over the top surface of the firstconnection plate and may drain out of the drainage pipe.

In various embodiments, the tonneau cover might further comprise amounting feature configured to secure the cover to the first side rail.

In some instances, the cover might comprise two or more foldable panels.At least one foldable panel of the two or more foldable panels iscoupled to an other of the foldable panels via a hinged connection. Insome cases, the hinged connection may be made of rubber.

In some embodiments, at least one foldable panel and the other of thefoldable panels are slidably coupled to the hinged connection.

In some cases, the at least one foldable panel and the other of thefoldable panels may comprise one or more second slots. The hingedconnection may comprise one or more second protrusions mirroring the oneor more second slots. The one or more second protrusions may engage withthe one or more second slots to couple the hinged connection to the atleast one foldable panel and the other of the foldable panels.

According to some embodiments, the one or more second slots may compriseat least three second recesses. The one or more second protrusions maycomprise at least three prongs. The at least three prongs may engagewith the at least three second recesses to couple the hinged connectionto the at least one foldable panel and the other of the foldable panels.In some cases, a center of the hinged connection may be open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a truck with a tonneaucover system, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system with one or morehinged connections, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a tonneau cover system with one or morehinged connections from FIG. 2A, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a partial front view of a hinged connection from FIGS. 2A and2B, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of a hinged connection from FIGS. 2A and 2B,in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a partial front view of a tonneau cover system, in accordancewith various embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a partial enlarged view of the tonneau cover system from FIG.4A, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4C is an exploded view of a tonneau cover system from FIG. 4A, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4D is an exploded view of a tonneau cover system from FIG. 4A, inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above-described features.

Various uses or implementations may be made to the various embodimentsand examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures or particular uses, the scope of this invention also includesembodiments having different combination of features or uses, and theembodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.

The following detailed description illustrates a few exemplaryembodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in the art topractice such embodiments. The described examples are provided forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the drawings. FIGS. 1-4illustrate some of the features of the method, system, and apparatus forimplementing a tonneau cover system. The methods, systems, andapparatuses illustrated by FIGS. 1-4 refer to examples of differentembodiments that include various components and steps, which can beconsidered as alternatives or which can be used in conjunction with oneanother in the various embodiments. The description of the illustratedmethods, systems, and apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-4 is provided forpurposes of illustration and should not be considered to limit the scopeof the different embodiments. Further, the various components of thefigures are merely illustrative and are not intended to be to scale.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anembodiment of a truck 100 with a truck tonneau cover system 102, inaccordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, the tonneau coversystem 102 covers the compartment 104 formed by a truck bed 106 toprotect an interior of the truck bed 106 and items that may be stored inthe compartment 104. For example, the tonneau cover system 102 may blockdirt and precipitation from entering the truck bed 106. The truck bed106 includes a front wall 122, one or more side walls 116, and atailgate 120. It should be understood by a person having ordinary skillin the art that one or more side walls 116 may be identical, yetarranged in mirrored symmetry. Therefore, in the interest of brevity,only one side wall 116 will be discussed in detail below in connectionwith the tonneau cover system 102 unless noted otherwise.

The tonneau cover system 102 includes a cover 108 that extends over thecompartment 104. The cover 108 may be flexible. The cover 108 mayinclude one or more panels 110 a, 110 b, and/or 110 c. Although threepanels 110 a, 110 b, and/or 110 c are shown in FIG. 1, the cover 108 mayinclude more than or less than three panels. The cover 108 may beconfigured to flex or bend at the borders 112 a and/or 112 b of thepanels 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c. For example, the borders 112 a and/or112 b may comprise one or more hinged connections (not shown in FIG. 1)configured to connect one or more panels 110 a, 110 b, and/or 110 ctogether. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cover 108 may beconfigured to bend or flex at locations other than the borders 112 aand/or 112 b. The cover 108 may be made out of a variety of materialsincluding fabric, plastic (e.g., vinyl), rubber, etc.

The cover 108 couples to the truck bed 106 with first side rails 114that in turn couple to truck side walls 116 (e.g., truck bed walls). Thefirst side rails 114 may be coupled to a corresponding truck side wall116 in various ways including clamping, riveting, welding, bolting, andthe like. A front portion of the cover 108 may be fixedly coupled to thesidewall 116 through one or more mounting structures (not shown in FIG.1). For example, the tonneau cover system 102 may include two mountingstructures one at each corner of the truck bed 106 next to the frontwall 122. The tonneau cover system 102 may further include one or moredrainage structures (not shown in FIG. 1) located toward the front wall122 of the truck bed 106 and disposed at a front end of the first siderail 114. The drainage structures may be configured to facilitate theflow of precipitation off of the tonneau cover system 102 so as toprevent water and/other liquid from entering the truck bed 106.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system 200, inaccordance with various embodiments. FIG. 2B is an exploded view of atonneau cover system 200 with one or more hinged connections from FIG.2A, in accordance with various embodiments. The tonneau cover system 200may be similar to the tonneau cover system 102 shown in FIG. 1.

The tonneau cover system 200 may comprise a cover 202 including one ormore panels 204 a, 204 b, and/or 204 c (collectively, panels 204). Theone or more panels 204 may be formed from a flexible material. Theflexible material may include fabric, plastic (e.g., vinyl), rubber,etc. The panels 204 may have various shapes so as to fit withindifferent truck beds, for example, rectangular, square, and/or the like.The panels 204 may also be solid and/or hollow plates or may becomposite structures. For example, the panels 204 may comprise one ormore layers adhesively coupled together, which can reduce total weightwhile maintaining the rigidity of the cover 202. Although three panels204 are shown in FIG. 2, the cover 200 may include more than or lessthan three panels.

The one or more panels 204 may be connected to each other via one ormore hinged connections 206 a, 206 b, and/or 206 c (collectively, hingedconnections 206). The hinged connections 206 may be formed from aflexible material. The flexible material may include fabric, plastic(e.g., vinyl), rubber, etc. The cover 202 may be configured to bend atthe one or more hinged connections 206. In a non-limiting example, auser may bend the cover 202 and the one or more hinged connections 206to access the bed of the truck. The hinged connections 206 may also beconfigured to form a seamless connection between the panels 204 so as toprevent precipitation and/or dirt from entering the truck bed. Thetonneau cover system 200 may further comprise one or more connectionpanels 210 coupled to the hinged connections 206 to allow two or morepanels 206 to be folded onto one another.

FIG. 3A is a partial front view of a hinged connection system 300 fromFIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 3B is anexploded view of the hinged connection system 300 from FIGS. 2A and 2B,in accordance with various embodiments. The hinged connection system 300may include a hinged connection 304 that is similar to the hingedconnections 206 of FIGS. 2A and/or 2B.

The hinged connection 304 may be configured to couple a first panel 302and a second panel 306 together as well as to allow the tonneau cover tobe bent at the hinged connection 304 when the cover is in a foldedposition. Additionally and/or alternatively, the hinged connection 304may be configured to couple a first panel 302 to a connection panel(shown in FIG. 2) and/or the hinged connection may be configured tocouple two connection panels together (not shown). The hingedconnections 304 may be formed from a flexible material. The flexiblematerial may include fabric, plastic (e.g., vinyl), rubber, etc. Thehinged connection 304 may be coupled to one or more panels 302 and 306in various ways. For example, the hinged connection 304 may slidablyengage with and/or removably couple to the one or more panels 302 and306.

In some embodiments, the first panel 302 may comprise one or more firstslots 308 a. The second panel 306 may comprise one or more second slots308 b. The hinged connection 304 may include a first protrusion 322 aand a second protrusion 322 b. The first protrusion 322 a of the hingedconnection 304 may mirror the first slot 308 a of the first panel 302.The second protrusion 322 b of the hinged connection 304 may mirror thesecond slot 308 b of the second panel 306. Therefore, the hingedconnection 304 can be removably attached to the one or more panels 302and 306 through the engagement between each protrusion of the one ormore protrusions 322 a, 322 b with a corresponding slot of one or moreslots 308 a, 308 b. For example, the first protrusion 322 a may snapinto and/or out of the first slot 308 a and the second protrusion 322 bmay snap into and/or out of the second slot 308 b.

The protrusions 322 a, 322 b may mirror the slots 308 a, 308 b invarious ways. In some embodiments, the first slot 308 a may include oneor more first recesses 312 a, 312 b, and/or 312 c (collectively, firstrecesses 312). The second slot 308 b may include one or more secondrecesses 314 a, 314 b, and/or 314 c (collectively, second recesses 314).The first protrusion 322 a may include one or more first prongs 316 a,316 b, and/or 316 c (collectively, first prongs 316). The secondprotrusion 322 b may include one or more second prongs 318 a, 318b,and/or 318 c (collectively, second prongs 318). The first recesses 312of the first slot 308 a may engage and/or interlock with the firstprongs 316 of the first protrusion 322 a, and the second recesses 314 ofthe second slot 308 b may engage and/or interlock with the second prongs318 of the second protrusion 322 b such that the hinged connection 304can be removably coupled to the first panel 302, and/or the second panel306. The hinged connection 304 may further include one or more thirdrecesses 310 a, 310 b, and/or 310 c. When the panels 302, 306 are infolded position, the tonneau cover may be bent at one of the thirdrecesses, for example, 310 b.

In some cases, there may be a blank space and/or opening 320 between thefirst protrusion 322 a and the second protrusion 322 b of the hingedconnection 304. In other words, the center of the hinged connection 304is open. When the first panel 302 and the second panel 306 are coupledtogether through the hinged connection 304, the blank space and/oropening 320 allows the panels 302, 306 to be folded and/or unfoldedaround the hinged connection 304 at the one or more third recesses 310.

FIG. 4A is a partial front view of a tonneau cover system 400, inaccordance with various embodiments. FIG. 4B is a partial enlarged viewof the tonneau cover system 400 from FIG. 4A, in accordance with variousembodiments. FIG. 4C is an exploded view of a tonneau cover system 400,in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 4D is an exploded view of atonneau cover system 400, in accordance with various embodiments. Thetonneau cover system 400 may be similar to the tonneau cover system 102shown in FIG. 1 and/or the tonneau cover system 200 shown in FIG. 2.

The tonneau cover system 400 might include a cover 402, a first siderail 406 having a first connection plate 418 extending from the firstside rail 406, a second connection plate 434, and an extension plate 426extending from and attached to the second connection plate 434. Thecover 402 might cover a bed of the truck and protect the bed of thetruck. The cover 402 might include a connector 488 removably attached tothe cover 402. The connector 488 might include a first prong 416, asecond prong 414, and a gap 412 extending over first prong 416. Thefirst side rail 406 might be coupled to a side wall 496 of the truck bed408. In some embodiments, the tonneau cover system 400 may furtherinclude a sealing strip 404 removably attached to the cover 402. Thesealing strip 404 may be configured to seal down onto the top of thefirst side rail 406 when the cover 402 is closed so as to block theprecipitation and/or dirt from entering the truck bed 408. The sealingstrip 404 may include an attachment feature 411 configured to removablyengage with and/or interlock with a slot feature 410 of the cover 402.For example, the attachment feature 411 as shown may be T-shaped, but itis understood that other shapes can be used as well. In variousimplementations, the attachment feature 411 can be configured in awishbone or other shapes. The sealing strip 404 might be formed from aflexible material that has the ability to bend with the cover 402. Theflexible material might include fabric, plastic (e.g., vinyl), rubber,etc.

The first connection plate 418 of the first side rail 406 might includea first recess 401 and a second recess 456. The first recess 401 may belocated on a bottom surface of the first connection plate 418 and thesecond recess 456 may be located on a top surface of the firstconnection plate 418. The first recess 401 might be formed by a thirdprong 458 and a fourth prong 462. The second connection plate 434 mightinclude a first protrusion 438 and a third recess 454. The firstprotrusion 438 of the second connection plate 434 might mirror the firstrecess 401 of the first connection plate 418 such that the firstprotrusion 438 of the second connection plate 434 may removably and/orslidingly engage with the first recess 401 of the first connection plate418. Therefore, the first connection plate 418 may removably and/orslidably engage with the second connection plate 434.

In operation, the second connection plate 434 might slidingly engagewith and releasably attach to the first connection plate 418. In orderto facilitate this connection, the first protrusion 438 of the secondconnection plate 434 might slidingly engage with and releasably attachto the first recess 401 of the first connection plate 418. In somecases, the first protrusion 438 and the first recess 401 might beT-shaped, but it is understood that other shapes can be used as well.

The first side rail 406 can be configured to fit with and/or attach toside walls of most truck beds since the shapes and structures of mostside walls of truck beds are similar, and only the size and/or shape oftruck beds may vary. By having the second connection plate 434configured to removably engage with the first connection plate 418, thetonneau cover system 400 can be easily modified and adapted to fitwithin truck beds with different shapes and/or sizes.

Additionally, the connector 488 might releasably and/or removably attachthe cover 402 to both the first connection plate 418 of the first siderail 406 and the second connection plate 434. When the cover 402 isclosed, the first prong 416 might releasably engage with and/or snapinto the second recess 456 of the first connection plate 418, the secondprong 414 might releasably engage with and/or snap into the third recess454 of the second connection plate 434, and a top surface of theconnector 488 might deform against the cover 402. When the cover 402 isopened, the first prong 416 might snap out of the second recess 456 ofthe first connection plate 418 and the second prong 414 might snap outof the third recess 454 of the second connection plate 434.

In some embodiments, when the cover 402 is opened, the first prong 416might stay engaged with the second recess 456 of the first connectionplate 418, and the second prong 414 might stay engaged with the thirdrecess 454 of the second connection plate 434. In these embodiments, atop surface of the connector 488 might releasably engage with and/orsnap out of the cover 402. Alternatively, in these embodiments, a bottomsurface of the cover 402 might rest on top of the top surface (forexample, on top of positioning tips 452) of the connector 488 withoutattaching to the connector 448.

In some cases, the connector 488 might extend along the total length ofthe cover 402. The connector 488 might be formed from a flexiblematerial that has the ability to bend with the cover 402. The flexiblematerial might include fabric, plastic (e.g., vinyl), rubber, etc. Theconnector 488 might be configured to block precipitation from enteringthe truck bed and reduce the wear-and-tear of the truck cover 402.According to some embodiments, the connector 488 may further include oneor more positioning tips 452 located on a top surface of the connector488. When the cover 402 is closed, the one or more positioning tips 452may deform against the cover 402. Therefore, the contact between thecover 402 and the connector 488 may be minimized so as to facilitate thepositioning of the cover 402. Additionally, because the one or morepositioning tips 452 may deform against the cover 402, this may furtherprevent precipitation from entering the truck bed and reduce thewear-and-tear of the truck cover 402.

According to some embodiments, the second connection plate 434 mayfurther include an extension plate 426 extending from and attached tothe second connection plate 434. The extension plate 426 may extendpartway along the first side rail 406 and is located adjacent to thefront wall 436 of the truck bed 408. In some embodiments, the gap 412may be located above the first connection plate 418 and below the cover434. The gap 412 may extend over first prong 416 and the firstconnection plate 418 and cause the weight of the cover 402 to be held bythe extension plate 426 and the second connection plate 434. In otherwords, the force from the cover 402 pushes the extension plate 426 andthe second connection plate 434 downward. This in turn, causes the firstconnection plate 418 and the first side rail 406 to be pulled downwardby the extension plate 426 and the second connection plate 434.Advantageously, by distributing the force from the cover 402 to thefirst side rail 406 in this manner, the first side rail 406 is moresecurely held in place against the side wall 496 of the truck bed 408.Thus, a clamp 498 does not need to exert much force to couple the secondconnection plate 434 and the side wall 496 of the truck bed 408together. The clamp 498 merely acts as a backup to clamp the secondconnection plate 434 and the side wall 496 of the truck bed 408together.

According to some embodiments, the tonneau cover system 400 mightfurther include the clamp 498 configured to clamp the second connectionplate 434 and the side wall 496 of the truck bed 408 together. The clamp498 may include a first clamp frame 446 and a second clamp frame 450that couple together using a fastener 444. The fastener 444 might be abolt, a screw, and/or the like. The clamp frames 446, 450 might beC-shaped, but it is understood that other shapes can be used as well.The first clamp frame 446 might include one or more first grooves 420.The second clamp frame 450 might include one or more second grooves 422.In some embodiments, the second connection plate 434 might furtherinclude one or more third grooves 403 that align with the first grooves420 of the clamp 498. The third grooves 403 of the second connectionplate 434 might removably engage with the first grooves 420 of the clamp498. The third grooves 403 may be located on a first interior surface405 of the second connection plate 434. The first interior surface 405of the second connection plate 434 may be in parallel with a secondinterior surface 448 of the first side rail 406, as well as the sidewall 496 of the truck bed 408. According to some embodiments, the firstgrooves 420 of the first clamp frame 446 and the second grooves 422 ofthe second clamp frame 450 may be of different/same sizes in order tofacilitate orientation and coupling of the clamp frames 446, 450 duringinstallation. In a non-limiting example, the first grooves 420 and thirdgrooves 403 may be a first size to facilitate orientation and couplingbetween the second connection plate 434 and the first clamp frame 446and the second grooves 422 may be a second different size to facilitateorientation and coupling between the second clamp frame 450 and the sidewall 496 of the truck bed 408.

In operation, the first clamp frame 446 might removably attach to aportion of the second connection plate 434, such as the first interiorsurface 405 of the second connection plate 434. The first grooves 420 ofthe first clamp frame 446 might removably engage with the third grooves403 of the second connection plate 434. The second clamp frame 450 mightremovably attach to the side wall 496 of the truck bed 408. A user mightcompress the first clamp frame 446 and the second clamp frame 450through fastening the fastener 444. In this way, the second connectionplate 434, the first side rail 406, and the side wall 496 of the truckbed 408 can be compressively coupled together.

In some embodiments, the tonneau cover system 400 may further include adrainage structure 440. The drainage structure 440 may be locatedtowards a front end of the truck bed 408. The drainage structure 440 mayinclude a second side rail 407, a third connection plate 409 attached toand extending from the second side rail 407, a drainage hole 494 locatedon the third connection plate 409, and a drainage pipe 442 extendingthrough the drainage hole 494. A top surface 464 of the first connectionplate 418 may be provided as a ramp surface extending upwardly at anangle from the first side rail 406 toward the cover 402. Additionally,in some embodiments, the top surface 464 of the first connection plate418 may also be sloped toward the drainage hole 494. Further, a sidesurface 468 of the first side rail 406 may be sloped. The top surface464 of the first connection plate 408 and the side surface 468 of thefirst side rail 406 may form a drainage channel 466 configured to allowwater and/or other liquid to flow from the cover 402 to the drainagehole 494. A top of the drainage pipe 442 may be level with the topsurface of the third connection plate 409 to facilitate drainage. Waterand/or other liquid can flow over the top surface 464 of the firstconnection plate 408 and drain out of the drainage pipe 442. In someembodiments, the first side rail 406 and the second side rail 407 may beprovided as one-piece extending along the side wall 496 of the truckbed. Alternatively, the first side rail 406 and the second side rail 407may be provided as two separate pieces. The third connection plate 409may have the same structure as the first connection plate 418 such thatthe third connection plate can removably and/or releasably engage withthe second connection plate 434. In some embodiments, the drainage pipe442 may be fixed onto the third connection plate 409. A front end of thesecond connection plate 434 may include an opening configured toaccommodate the drainage pipe 442 (not shown) in an attachedconfiguration. The drainage pipe 442 may be disengageably coupled to thecorresponding opening of the second connection plate 434. In someembodiments, the drainage pipe 442 may fit into the correspondingopening of the second connection plate 434. For example, the opening ofthe second connection plate 434 may comprise metal alloy material (e.g.,aluminum alloy) and may be specifically configured and sized to engagewith the drainage pipe 442. According to some embodiments, the drainagepipe 442 may extend through the opening of the first connection plate418 such that the third connection plate 409 may removably engage withthe front end of the first connection plate 418. Such securing mechanismmay help with the alignment of the first side rail 406 and the secondside rail 407.

In order for the first side rail 406 to be fixedly secured to the cover402, the tonneau cover system 400 may further include a mounting featureor mounting element 430. In some embodiments, the mounting feature 430may be located towards a front of the truck. The mounting feature 430may include a bolt head 431, a foam washer 432,and a bolt body 486. Thefoam washer 432 may be configured to provide shock and impactabsorption. In some embodiments, the cover 402 may include one or morelayers. For example, each panel of the cover 402 may include a firstlayer 470, a second layer 472, a third layer 476, and a fourth layer482. As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the one or more layers may havedifferent sizes and/or shapes and may couple to and/or fit within oneanother to enhance the rigidity of the cover 402. One or more layers maybe made out of a variety of materials including plastic (e.g., vinyl),metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, and/or titanium) in order to addruggedness and enhance the safety of the tonneau cover system 400. Insome embodiments, one or more layers may be provided as honeycomb panelsso as to reduce the total weight of the cover 402 while maintaining therigidity of the cover 402. In some cases, the one or more layers mayhave hollow structure in order to limit the total weight of the cover402 while maintaining the rigidity of the cover 402. In a non-limitingexample, second layer 472 and third layer 476 may be disposed betweenfirst layer 470 and fourth layer 482 and second layer 472 and thirdlayer 476 may enhance the rigidity of the cover 402. In someembodiments, the second layer may include an opening to allow the thirdlayer 476 to fit within the second layer 472.

According to some embodiments, the tonneau cover system 400 may furtherinclude a foam spacer 490 disposed between the cover 402 and theextension plate 426. One or more notches may be drilled through theextension plate 426, the foam spacer 490, and one or more layers of thecover 402 such that the cover 402 can be secured to the first side rail406 using the mounting feature 430. The foam spacer 490 may beconfigured to provide shock and impact absorption. For example, thethird layer 476 of the cover 402 may include a first notch 478, thefourth layer 482 of the cover 402 may include a second notch 480, thefoam spacer 490 may include a third notch 484, the extension plate 426may include a fourth notch 492. The one or more notches (e.g., notches478, 480, 484, and/or 492) may include a threaded connection for easymounting.

In operation, the bolt body 486 may be inserted through the first notch478 of the third layer 476, the second notch 480 of the fourth layer482, the third notch 484 of the foam spacer 490, and the fourth notch ofthe extension plate 426. The notches may be configured to accommodatethe bolt body 486. In some cases, the bolt body 486 may be attached tothe first notch 478. The bolt body 486 may be attached to the firstnotch 478 via a threaded connection. The bolt body 486 may also beattached to the bolt head 431 via a threaded connection. A user maysecure the cover 402 to the extension plate 426 through fastening themounting structure 430. In a non-limiting example, a user may fasten thecover 402 to the extension plate 426 by turning the bolt head 431 andcausing the bolt body 486 to attach to the first notch 478 via athreaded connection. In some cases, the one or more threaded connectionsmay be provided as anti-vibration mounting structures in order toprevent self-loosening and cater for quick and safe installation. Invarious implementations, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments ofthe present inventor afford superior aesthetics by utilizing hiddenwashers for screws and/or bolts; the hidden washers may be embedded inone or more layers (e.g., the third layer). In various embodiments, theembedded washers may be tamperproof or anti-vibration.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture, but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added, and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tonneau cover system, comprising: a coverconfigured to cover a bed of a truck, the cover being configured asfoldable; a first side rail configured to be coupled to a side wall ofthe bed of the truck; a first connection plate extending from the firstside rail; a second connection plate be configured to slidably engagewith the first connection plate; and an extension plate coupled to thesecond connection plate, the extension plate being configured tosecurely attach to the cover through a mounting feature; wherein thesecond connection plate and the extension plate are further configuredto distribute a force from the cover to the first side rail when thecover is in a closed position.
 2. The tonneau cover system of claim 1,wherein the first connection plate comprises a first recess located on abottom surface of the first connection plate, the first recess isconfigured to removably engage with the second connection plate suchthat the first connection plate can removably engage with the secondconnection plate.
 3. The tonneau cover system of claim 2, wherein thesecond connection plate comprises a first protrusion mirroring the firstrecess of the first connection plate, the first protrusion is configuredto slidably engage with the first recess.
 4. The tonneau cover system ofclaim 3, wherein the first protrusion of the second connection plate isπ-shaped.
 5. The tonneau cover system of claim 3, wherein a bottomportion of the second connection plate is configured to bear a weight ofthe first connection plate when the first protrusion engages with thefirst recess.
 6. The tonneau cover system of claim 1, wherein theextension plate extends from the second connection plate.
 7. The tonneaucover system of claim 1, wherein the extension plate extends partwayalong the first side rail and is located toward a front end of the bedof the truck.
 8. The tonneau cover system of claim 1, further comprisinga connector being configured as positionable between the cover and thefirst connection plate, the connector being configured to detachablyattach to the cover, the connector extending along a total length of thecover.
 9. The tonneau cover system of claim 8, wherein the connectorcomprises a first prong and a second prong configured to engage with thefirst connection plate and the second connection plate, respectively.10. The tonneau cover system of claim 9, wherein the first connectionplate further comprises a second recess configured to removably engagewith the first prong of the connector, the second connection platefurther comprises a third recess configured to removably engage with thesecond prong of the connector.
 11. The tonneau cover system of claim 1,further comprising a sealing strip configured to seal down onto a top ofthe first side rail when the cover is in a closed position.
 12. Thetonneau cover system of claim 11, wherein the sealing strip comprises anattachment feature configured to removably engage the sealing strip withthe cover.
 13. A tonneau cover system, comprising: a first side railconfigured to be coupled to a side wall of a truck bed; a second siderail located toward a front end of the truck bed and coupled to the sidewall of the truck bed; a first connection plate extending from the firstside rail; a second connection plate be configured to slidably engagewith the first connection plate; a third connection plate attached tothe second side rail; and a drainage structure comprising a drainagehole and a drainage pipe extending therethrough, the drainage hole beingpositioned on the third connection plate.
 14. The tonneau cover systemof claim 13, wherein the first connection plate comprises a top surfaceand a side surface, the top surface and the side surface of the firstconnection plate are configured to form a drainage channel toward thedrainage hole.
 15. The tonneau cover system of claim 14, wherein the topsurface of the first connection plate is configured as a ramp surface.16. The tonneau cover system of claim 13, wherein the drainage pipe isconfigured to removably couple to the drainage hole.
 17. A tonneau coversystem, comprising: a cover configured to cover a truck bed; a firstside rail configured to be coupled to a side wall of the truck bed; afirst connection plate extending from the first side rail; a secondconnection plate configured to slidably engage with the first connectionplate; an extension plate coupled to the second connection plate, theextension plate being configured to securely attach to the cover througha mounting feature; and a clamp configured to attach the secondconnection plate to the side wall of the truck bed.
 18. The tonneaucover system of claim 17, wherein: the clamp comprises a first clampframe and a second clamp frame; the first clamp frame and the secondclamp frame are coupled together using a fastener.
 19. The tonneau coversystem of claim 18, wherein the first clamp frame and the second clampframe are configured as C-shaped.
 20. The tonneau cover system of claim17, further comprising: a foam spacer positionable between the cover andthe extension plate, the foam spacing being configured for impactabsorption.